Jo-Ann Stores wants to hire more than 3,000 workers nationwide in an effort to increase its in-store staff by 15 percent for the holidays. The specialty retailer has about 790 Jo-Ann stores nationwide.Peggy Turbett, Plain Dealer file

HUDSON, Ohio - Jo-Ann Stores Inc., the nation's largest fabrics and crafts retailer, is looking for more than 3,000 seasonal workers for its 790 stores, including 48 stores in Ohio.

The Hudson-based specialty retailer said this is the second straight year it is bolstering its in-store staff by more than 15 percent in anticipation of the busy holiday season.

Jo-Ann stores, started by two Cleveland families 69 years ago, was acquired in March 2011 by Leonard Green & Partners LP, a Los Angeles private-equity firm, in a deal valued at about $1.6 billion.

Its headquarters and executives remain in Hudson, and its store count has grown from 751 to 790 since the purchase. The company employs more than 23,000.

Jo-Ann said its customers enjoy creating handmade gifts and decor for the holidays, including hand-sewn clothes, decorating baked goods and other holiday projects.

"Having the flexibility and infrastructure to hire and train more than 3,000 seasonal Team Members in a relatively short period of time means our stores can continue to provide the same high level of customer service that our customers expect as in-store traffic increases during the holiday season," said Tom Williams, Jo-Ann's senior vice president of human resources, in a statement.

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